The plant dieta is a chance to learn from one of the Master Plant teachers. “Dieting” is a traditional process one undertakes to learn and heal deeply from a plant. The dieta is done in isolation on land in nature, mimicking the traditional dieting process in the jungle, which gives the participant a chance to deeply be with oneself, to see and understand the mind, and to allow the plant to maximize its effects.
Guests will arrive during the day, get settled in, have a diagnostic to see which plant would be of most benefit, and then begin the ceremony and dieting process that night. Food is kept to a minimum to allow the plant to deeply penetrate. It is said that when the body is weak, the spirit is high. Guests will drink a juice or smoothie or eat a light soup twice a day just in order to maintain physical force so that they are able to undertake the plant diet, which can be strong and profound.
This event is located at a plant-medicine retreat center in the countryside outside of the beautiful, quaint town of Westport, Ireland at the Anam Croí House, which is a beautiful space and land dedicated to healing and transformation. The dieta is run by Merav Artzi and Jason Grechanik. Combined we have worked with and guided over a thousand people in ceremonies working with various plants. It is a great opportunity to work with both a very experienced male and female guide. We recommend that guests come for both weeks if possible as we have seen in two weeks, usually people are able to go much deeper into a process. But we understand if this is not possible financially or with time so we offer one-week dietas and these are very beneficial as well and guests can still go very deep.
We will be bringing Amazonian trees to work with as well as seven local trees: oak, hawthorn, elder, alder, blackthorn, birch, apple, and hazel, particularly inspired by Celtic wisdom. We are working via the medium of tobacco, a plant that cleans, opens us energetically and connects us to the spirit of plants. Tobacco is considered a or the great plant teacher and one of the most powerful tools in the plant kingdom.
We have found working with local trees gives people an opportunity to connect to the medicine and wisdom of their land where they can develop a physical and spiritual connection to a tree in in proximity to their own land. We have been truly inspired with the connection our guests are developing working with their own indigenous trees.
If coming for 17 days of dieta, you will most likely diet two different trees. We will close the first dieta on July 8th and you will begin the second dieta on July 10th. You will have July 9th as a day of rest and recovery. Accommodation remains unchanged but please note that food will not be provided that day as most guests prefer to be on their own or go into town to eat, do errands, and send a few messages.
The following is a little synopsis of the oak, hawthorn, elder, and alder trees:
OAK TREE (QUERCUS)
7TH TREE - OGHAM • 'DUIR'
Physical: general tonic, anti-inflammatory, good for blood. Cooling. Good for liver and gallstones. Astringent: shrink & tone tissue as they heal. Internal hemorrhage. Cleans phlegm in lungs. Hair loss. Removes excess mucus & tones the stomach.
Energetic: Druidic - Dair meaning door. Entrance to internal world and otherworld, either through Sky World through branches or the chthonic world of nature spirits through roots & underground. Symbol of strength, fertility, kingship. endurance, ancestors, family, roots, & balance. Oaks are providers. Attract lightening - attract Gods. But are not killed by strike. Head in the clouds and roots firmly planted in earth. Magic and the otherworld. Protection from black magic. Bears mistletoe - sacred plant. Tallest tree - reach spiritual heights. Psychological aid for loneliness.
Etymology: strength, bravery, truth, belief, contract, agreement, confidence. Oak - Dru - true - druids - truth knowers
June-July / Fire / Sun / Zeus-Jupiter / Stag-bull-boar-eagle
HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS)
6TH TREE - OGHAM • 'HUATH'
Physical: King of heart medicines. Cardiac tonic: good for angina, palpitation, arrhythmia, myocarditis, pericarditis. Good for blood disorders. Helps to build blood. Regulates and normalizes blood pressure. Good for sharp pains in the body, stress, insomnia, nervous tension, stomach ailments, ulcers. Stops excessive menstruation.
Energetic: Druidic - Huath - meaning fear or awe. Embodies magical powers and the realm of the fairies. Used for protection. Embodies masculine in contrast to Elder and feminine but has both qualities. Christ was allegedly crucified on Whitethorn (hawthorn) and crown of thorns from whitethorn. Associated with holy wells - element and magic of water. Works on anger, resentment, love, peace. Opens the energetic channels: flow. Used against witchcraft. Blessings for marriage. Power. Creativity. Fertility. Has a dual aspect: light and dark, fear and awe.
May / Air / Mars /Four Elements
ELDER (SAMBUCUS NIGRA, SPP.)
13TH TREE - OGHAM • 'RUIS'
Physical: "Queen of herbs." Great healer - all parts of tree used as medicine: berries, flowers, leaves, bark, root. Anti-viral, immune system, emetic, diuretic, epilepsy, rheumatism, kidneys, inflammation, skin conditions, lungs, heart
Energetic: Druidic - Ruis. Governed by Elder Mother or Hyde Moer. Duality: Death - rebirth. Regeneration & renewal. Self-reflection. Truth. Knowledge. Wisdom. Sacrifice. Magic. Faeries. Protection. Used against witchcraft. Justice - divine justice. Knowledge gained from past. Moving forward - shedding of old habits. Atonement of sin. Freeing of regrets and judgement. Gratitude. Simplicity.
December / Water-Air / Venus / Four Elements
ALDER (ALNUS GLUTINOSA & ALNUS ACUMINANTA KUNTH)
4TH TREE - OGHAM • 'FEARN'
Physical: anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, contains salicin, skin, lymphatic, immune system, internal & external wounds, infections, lungs, blood, liver, bile, phlegm, digestion, rheumatism, cold/flu/COVID, STDs, headaches, anxiety, nerves.
Energetic: Irish myth: first man came from Alder. Warrior, shield, strength, foundation, endurance, defense, resilience, protection: physcial, emotional, & spiritual. Conflict - takes us into our past. Overcoming challenges. Water/emotions - transformation of negative to positive. Wisdom. Fixes nitrogen - rejuvenation, symbiosis, community. Overcome inaction, weakness, pity, stuckness. Moves us forward. Discrimination & diagnosis. Prophecy. Magic. Faeries. Balance: masculine & feminine, sword & shield, action vs emotions. Transition. Blood - life energy. Grace, ease, generosity, service, inspiration, faith, success.
March-April / 4 Elements: Water-Air-Fire / Venus / Raven
We are offering two dates with a maximum of 12-14 people:
1st week - July 1st to 8th
2nd week - July 10th to 18th
We will do our best to accommodate your date and will get back to you if the only dates you can is not available anymore.
We will take reservations on a first come, first serve basis.
The exchange is: €1,475 for 8 days or €2,800 for 17 days
The price includes:
- Initial consultation & recommendation
- 8 days or 17 day plant dieta
- Daily Plant Dieta Ceremony
- Daily Breakfast & Lunch (evening are fasting for the Plant Dieta)
- Plant/tree baths and potential extra remedies to support the process
- Accommodation: Individual rooms with bed & linens
- Access to the land & facilities (bathroom, shower, maloka, gardens)
- Daily support, coaching, and teaching from Merav Artzi and Jason Sadhana Grechanik
- Post Dieta Integration support
Also we are offering guests a 10% discount off our Portugal retreat if they sign up for both Portugal and Ireland. We hope this helps with the cost and gives people a chance to work more deeply more closely to their homes.
A 50% downpayment is needed to reserve and hold your place for the dieta. The other 50% we ask to please bring in cash upon arrival. To Book visit the Store tab or click the button below:
Let us know if you have any questions.
We look forward to this wonderful time together.
Also see Merav’s website of more information at: TobaccoDiets.com
